This paper focuses on political science research for sustainable development in Nigeria. Political science is one of the critical constituents of the umbrella discipline of social sciences. It is a specialized field of scholarship with a scope that is as dynamic as the society itself. It is an intellectual field, which generated considerable controversy in terms of its relevance to the enterprise of a nation sustainability. Political science research is concerned with the process of arriving at dependable solutions to problems associated with politics through planned and systematic collection, analysis and interpretation of data that provide sustainable development. The study further indicated the need of political science research as an activity that is not fully utilized as an aspect for solving social problems in Nigeria as a result of the gap in research in the society. The method adopted in this research work was qualitative approach. The study employed the secondary source of data collection largely drawn from official publication, journal articles and books and on content analysis. Major findings show that political science research helps to promote sustainable development in Nigeria and provide the means of justice to the people. The study also revealed that political science research helps people to acquire leadership skills. The study therefore recommends that there should be adequate funding to political science research in Nigeria geared towards sustainable development, government should establish political science research institutes across Nigeria.

UP IN SMOKE: THE THREAT FROM CLIMATE CHANGE ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN AFRICA

Wilfred M. Tarabinah

Department of Political & Administrative Studies, Kampala International University

Abstract

Africa is the most resource-laden continent with every primary product required for industrial production. This has largely accounted for the new scramble for Africa, as resource multinational corporations from Western developed countries are attracted to the continent which has in turn accelerated economic growth. Ironically, the globalization of commerce and the extraction of natural resources across the region has undermined the capacity of Africa’s natural ecosystems to shield the people against extreme weather conditions and other shocks. The objective of the study is to examine the impact of resource multinational corporations on Africa’s development. The study finds that gas flaring, burning of fossil fuel, activities of oil transnational corporations generates climate change which undermines sustainable development. The policy recommendation calls for a regional approach for a new development model that will set the continent on a path to sustainable development.

PROJECT-BASED VOCATIONAL TRAINING PROGRAMME IN EARTHEN ARCHITECTURE IN NIGERIA: A COLLABORATIVE PROGRAMME BETWEEN THE FEDERAL POLYTECHNIC BAUCHI (FPB) AND DE MONTFORT UNIVERSITY (DMU)

*Theophilus A. Shittu and **Michael Ajufoh

*De Montfort University, Leicester **Federal Polytechnic Bauchi

Abstract

Traditionally, earth construction skills were transmitted through parents and informal apprenticeships in Nigeria. The situation is almost the same despite growing interest in earth construction and various initiatives aimed at promoting the technology. One of such initiative was the Franco-Nigerian Cooperation that led to the establishment of the Centre for Earth Construction Technology (CECTech) in Jos in 1992. This cooperation included the delivery of training programmes for artisans and construction professionals in the private and public sectors across Nigeria. Since the creation of CECTech, there have been few attempts to teach earth construction in Nigerian universities. Where it exists, the teaching is more theoretical in content, which is not sufficiently enough to develop and improve the understanding of the construction methods. The Federal Polytechnic, Bauchi (FPB) in collaboration with the De Montfort University (DMU) Leicester is developing a vocational curriculum for earth construction that is project-based and hands-on approach to dissemination. A project-based vocational training that gives the trainees the opportunity to learn on a life project is developed. This therefore requires collaboration between FPB and potential clients that will allow the use of their project for training purposes. FPB is in discussion with representatives of the 20 local government areas in Bauchi State and the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCRMIDP) on the use of earthen materials for their projects as wells as the use of their projects as a training sites. Other potential partners are also considered. The thrust of this curriculum is the blend of tradition (learning by doing) and formal training methods as well as the use of business model, which requires that the availability of a project determine when training takes place and how many trainees can be enrol. The role of DMU is to provide technical support in the development of a curriculum in earth construction that will be delivered by FPB.

This paper affirms that every business organization strives to maintain a cordial relationship with its customers who are usually defined, in the parlance of Public Relations, as external publics. In a bank for instance, most customers are depositors while the bank, as the custodian of whatever is deposited, is duty bound to make the deposited item available to the depositor at an agreed time, all things being equal. The question is: what happens in a situation when the depositor is denied access to the deposited item, not because of any fault of his, but as a result of the organization’s decision to protect its own interest without due regard to the interest of the customer? This was the scenario in Wukari reviewed in this paper using an analytical approach complemented with a survey. The paper observes that the withdrawal of services permanently by some banks in Wukari during and after the crises that engulfed the town between 2013 and 2015 worsened the plight of the customers and amounts to a breach of their corporate social responsibility and responsiveness to the host community.

This paper examines the factors responsible for the migration of health workers to other countries from Kano, Nigeria and its consequences on the community and the health sector. The objective of the paper is to investigate reasons for the migration and its consequences. The Push and Pull theory of migration was chosen as the theoretical frame-work. Qualitative method was used with a sample size of 12 health workers, who were identified using the snowballing sampling technique for an In-depth Interview. Descriptive and Narrative techniques were used to analyze the data. The findings revealed that the major factors responsible for health workers’ migration are: acquiring working experience in developed nations, improving professionalism, acquiring new skills on current medical practices, discrimination in the work-place and improved economic condition. The consequences include shortage of health staff, low quality health services, denial of essential health services, overworking staff and ineffective health care planning. The paper recommends that the government should improve the welfare of health workers, provide health infrastructural facilities, eradicate any form of discrimination in the health sector and restore overseas internship for medical students.

ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION IN THIS 21ST CENTURY, CHALLENGES AND PROSPECTS: THE NIGERIAN EXPERIENCE.

Ven. Egesi Jonathan Chidomerem, Amaechi J.N. & Aneke Chinwe G.

Imo State Polytechnic, Umuagwo Ohaji

Abstract

Environmental friendliness has been the campaign of several governments in developing, under developed and developed countries since the turn of the 21st century. It has been equally observed that while the sensitization and campaign have taken different turns and forms not much have been achieved. The environment have defied virtually all efforts at making it better or improved. This research is necessitated by the degenerating nature of human environment since the turn of the 21st century. The scholars adopted several empirical data collection techniques aimed at achieving a better human environment. The techniques included oral interviews, use of questionnaires, textbooks, journals, newspapers, periodicals and internet. A few theoretical strands were incorporated into the work to make it worthwhile. The work concluded with the scholars suggesting ways to improve our human environment in Nigeria in particular and the world in general.

Keywords: Challenges, Prospects, Environmental, Degradation, Century.

GRASSROOTS SPORTS DEVELOPMENT AS POLITICAL PUBLIC RELATIONS TOOL IN NIGERIA

Onifade, Oluwafemi Sunday and Adeyinka, Afolabi Taofeek

Department of Mass Communication Federal Polytechnic Bauchi

Abstract

This position paper discusses the endless possibilities inherent in sports development in general and grassroots sports development in particular. It suggests that grassroots sports development has been neglected in Nigeria over the years while the little attention given to sports development have focused on a handful of sports with football claiming the largest share of attention. Using the framework of the Expectancy Value Theory, the paper argues that politicians can achieve their political public relations goals by investing in sports infrastructure and programmes at the grassroots. Such efforts would produce tremendous socio-economic and political goodwill in the long run. It recommends that all sports should be encouraged at the grassroots so that more sporting heroes could be produced thereby creating a mutually beneficial relationship between political candidates and organizations on one hand and the society in general on the other hand.

Department of Business Administration and Management, Federal Polytechnic, Bauchi, Nigeria.

Abstract

Ugly and regrettable events continually happening in Nigeria in recent times have shown that exercise of right to street protest is still a vexed and disturbing issue in the country, more especially to the state and its agencies. Exercise of the right by citizens apart from being precarious, is not always cherished by the state and its agencies, which become uncomfortable and reactionary to the extent of perpetration of unlawful limitations of the right against the spirit and letters of Constitution. Unlawful infringements of right to street protest range from disruption of protest marches to intimidations, maiming, and lynching to killing of protesters by security operatives. These illegalities raise very serious issues of concern, and weaken the foundation of Nigeria’s fledgling democracy. This paper therefore, is interested in explaining the whole gamut of right to street protest as one of the species of fundamental rights immanent in the nature of man; right guaranteed under the Constitution and other international human rights statutes for the fulfillment of the humanistic essence of man. The paper adopts doctrinal methodology and content-analyses constitutional and statutory textual materials in explaining the nature and guarantee of the right. Essentially, doctrinal methodology adopted affords the paper the opportunity of using library-based materials to analyze issues and concepts arising from the theme of the paper. Judicial precedents are also used to demonstrate judicial attitude towards interpretation of the rights. The paper also recalls the abuses of the right, using materials from secondary sources such as newspapers, books and internet. In the end, the paper recommends regular and consistent education of security operatives on the need to respect and observe the people’s right to street protest in Nigeria.

It is obvious that most female students today are undecided about what to do with their leisure hours which have made them to be involved in some social vices. The paper explores the opportunity to investigate female student’s participation in outdoor recreation in Gombe state university. Conceptual definitions of female participation in outdoor recreation were carefully made. It uses the quantitative method of research; questionnaire survey precisely to investigate thirty (30) students randomly. The statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) was used to carry out a descriptive statistics to determine the reason for low participation of students in recreation activities in the university. Results were presented in tables and histogram among the major findings was that outdoor recreation is very low due to some factors which include: inadequate recreational facilities, lack of time and interest, ignorance and health problems. However, the following recommendations were made that the university curriculum should include leisure and recreational activities with adequate time allocated to for effective utilization. Furthermore, inter departmental competitions in outdoor recreation should be organize for the female student, in other to encourage them. The university should provide more facilities and equipment for the students to use at anytime as this will increase students’ interest towards recreation.

The increasing incidences of the twin evil of poverty and insecurity in Nigeria in spite of the efforts made by successive administrations aimed at reducing their tide have been issues of public discourse. The major objective of this paper is to identify the causes of poverty and insecurity in Nigeria and examine the relationship between them. A major cause of insecurity in Nigeria is poverty and failure of governance to achieve the fundamental objectives and directive principles of state policy as contained in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The study revealed that there exist a perfect correlation between poverty and insecurity in Nigeria and that greed by insurgent groups and corruption by public officials caused deprivation, alienation, conflict and insecurity in order to reduce the incidence of poverty and insecurity in Nigeria.

The importance of the information society for developing countries; to suggest procedure pillars to empower developing countries in the global information society. This paper sets out developing nation position for Information Society and Development. Information Technology is a universal technology its applications are only limited by the ingenuity of the human mind. There is great potential for the Information Society to promote development in many countries, but dangers as well that policy needs to address. The objective of the process around the Information Society and Development is empowering developing countries in the new information age. The Information Revolution should benefit society as a whole. Role of Information Community in Promoting Development, ensuring equity in the Information Community: The ICT is an instrument of emancipation, empowerment and appropriate to the environment needs of each country. The role of Information society is to ensuring universal access and supporting establishing the economic environment for the IC. The study defined information and discussed development as well as information society.

The study sought to analyze the attitude of mass communication students of Nigerian polytechnics towards print journalism as an area of specialization. Four research objectives and questions were postulated. Relevant literature was reviewed. The survey method was used and the data were gathered with questionnaire and analyzed with the aid of frequency tables and simple percentages. The findings showed that most students were not aware of the career opportunities of their options of specialization before choosing them, most students perceive print journalism as a difficult terrain to venture into, most students run away from the print option because they generally prefer speaking to writing. The study thus recommended that the departments of mass communication in Nigerian polytechnics should organize orientation programmes to expose their students to the career opportunities available to their options of specialization among other recommendations.

The benefits of tourism to national development cannot be over emphasized. Tourism has become a phenomenon in both the developed and developing nations across the globe owing partly to bizarre of income generation; employment creation and poverty elimination. Despite these numerous benefits of tourism, there are still some bottle necks on the part of her progress. Tourism is seen as an activity that involves being away from home on a temporary short-term visit to and stay at places of interest outsides ones domicile and work. This paper discusses Nigeria’s tourism history and potentials, optimizing the political and economic potentials of tourism in Nigeria. The challenges to optimizing the political and economic potentials of tourism in Nigeria identified in the paper includes; infrastructures, security, government, awareness and personnel. Recommendations made included that the Federal Government should put in place a legal framework that clearly spells out the responsibility for management of tourism resources, e – Tourism and the adoption of public – private – partnership (PPP) arrangement in the Nigerian tourism sector.